Social Connectivity, Sentiment and Participation on Twitter during COVID-19

Andrea Castro-Martinez, Paula Méndez-Domínguez, Aimiris Sosa Valcarcel and Joaquín Castillo de Mesa
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Andrea Castro-Martinez: Department of Audiovisual Communication and Advertising, University of Malaga, León Tolstoi Street, s/n, 29010 Malaga, Spain
Paula Méndez-Domínguez: Department of Social Psychology, Social Work, Social Anthropology and East Asian Studies, University of Malaga, Francisco Trujillo Villanueva Avn., s/n, 29001 Malaga, Spain
Aimiris Sosa Valcarcel: Department of Audiovisual Communication and Advertising, University of Malaga, León Tolstoi Street, s/n, 29010 Malaga, Spain
Joaquín Castillo de Mesa: Department of Social Psychology, Social Work, Social Anthropology and East Asian Studies, University of Malaga, Francisco Trujillo Villanueva Avn., s/n, 29001 Malaga, Spain

IJERPH, 2021, vol. 18, issue 16, 1-19

Abstract: In a transnational context defined by the irruption of COVID-19 and the social isolation it has generated around the world, social networking sites are essential channels for communicating and developing new forms of social coexistence based on connectivity and interaction. This study analyzes the feelings expressed on Twitter through the hashtags #YoMeQuedoEnCasa, #stayhome, #jeresteàlamaison, #restealamaison, #stoacasa, #restaacasa, #ficaemcasa, #euficoemcasa, #ichbleibezuHause and #Bleibzuhause, and the communicative and social processes articulated from network participation, during the lockdown in 2020. Through Gephi software, the aspects underlying the communicative interaction and the distribution of the network at a global level are studied, with the identification of leaderships, communities and connectivity nodes. As a result of this interaction, the emergence of social and organizational links derived from community participation and motivated by the common interest of preserving health and general wellbeing through collective action is detected. The study notes the presence of feelings of solidarity, a sense of community and social support among connected crowds who, despite being in geographically dispersed settings, share similar concerns about the virus effect.

Keywords: COVID-19; connectivity; interaction; participation; sentiment; social capital; social media; Twitter (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2021
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (4)

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